Hot Wheels Ford Transit Raises Big Bucks for Charity

Life-size Hot Wheels Transit sold for $50,000 at Barrett-Jackson Northeast, which will be donated to The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

Hall of Fame drag racer Darrell Gwynn, stood on stage along with the awesome Hot Wheels Ford Transit, as the Barrett-Jackson auctioneer quickly narrated the bids from the audience. Unlike most of the merchandise sold at these high level auctions, the Transit was the literal representation of a “toy,” and was being sold 100 percent for charity.

The 2014 Hot Wheels Ford Transit Connect made its original debut in SEMA 2013, and it quickly gained popularity within the passionate Hot Wheels community. It features an entirely custom, euro-look wide body kit, Rotiform ROC wheels, sleeping quarters and tool storage with slide-out drawers for Hot Wheels cars. Furthermore, it has gullwing doors and two Hot Wheels orange tracks recessed in the bed, forming a drag strip in the van!

“The Hot Wheels Transit Connect and Darrell Gwynn were greeted with thunderous applause when they took the Barrett-Jackson stage,” said Jim Owens, Ford Performance marketing manager. “We’re pleased that the van Ford donated raised $50,000 for the charity. Aaron Lawyer, the winning bidder is taking home the world’s only life-size Hot Wheels Transit Connect and he was part of a very special moment.”

Mattel, which offered a 1:64 scale model of the vehicle, supported the sale of this charity vehicle. Mr. Lawyer will receive a case that demonstrates the process to create the 1:64 model from Mattel, as well as an invitation to tour their Southern California studio.